Information and Resources

Baby, It's Cold Outside

WebMD Feature from "Good Housekeeping" Magazine

WebMD Archive

Tips to pick the warmest bedding. Plus, the GH Research Institute tests the
latest flannels

Find Your Comforter Zone

Down
Best for: Very cold climates
Cost*: $239 to $600 (the most expensive are the lightest and fluffiest)
What to look for on the package: A 100 percent cotton cover with a thread count
of 300 or more. The higher the count, the less likely it is that down clusters
will poke through. Prewashed fill: People often believe they're allergic to
down, but it's really the dirt and dust trapped within the fill that triggers a
reaction.
Care: Protect with a duvet cover. Machine wash the comforter yearly, more often
if needed. Tumble dry (add cotton sneakers to prevent clumping).

Wool
Best for: People who overheat under warm covers and wake up feeling sweaty.
Wool wicks away moisture, so you cool off naturally.
Cost*: $200 to $300
What to look for on the package: A cover with a high thread count (300 or
more). A tight weave prevents the wool fibers from protruding. (People aren't
usually allergic to wool—just irritated by the abrasive texture.) A cover that
is washable—otherwise, you'll have to spend a lot on dry cleaning.
Care: See instructions for down fill, above.

Silk
Best for: People who have allergies or asthma. The fill is naturally
hypoallergenic and inhospitable to dust mites.
Cost*: $369 to $800 (grade-A, long-staple silk is the most durable and the
priciest)
What to look for on the package: A cover with a thread count of 300 or more The
tight weave will protect the silk so it lasts longer.
Care: Use a duvet cover. Dry-clean at least once a year, more often if
needed.

Primaloft
Best for: The budget-conscious. This affordable synthetic option is made of
microfiber polyester. It's almost as warm as down, but it's also heavier.
Cost*: $149 to $250
What to look for on the package: Large stitched squares (at least 12 inches
square). The bigger the individual sections, the more space there is for air to
circulate through the fill and the fluffier your comforter will feel.
(Packaging may refer to sections as baffle squares.)
Care: Machine wash and tumble dry as needed. Bonus: This fill holds up well in
repeated cycles.